The Duties of the Shepherd

We will continue our studies of the duties of the spiritual shepherd (pastor) and his relationship with the sheep (saints.)   We have already shown the importance of leading the flock, not driving it.

Paul exhorted the church:

  "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves : for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy . . ." (Hebrews 13:17).

We leaders really like that verse of Scripture, because it almost commands our saints to follow us.   The question is, besides quoting the above verse of Scripture, how can we make our sheep follow us?   We can't!

The sheep must love and trust the shepherd or they will not follow him.   How do we get people to love and trust us?   It isn't something that can just be demanded.   We must first love and trust them.

". . . The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).

They must know that our ministry is not for selfish and personal gain, but out of love for them.   Each sheep needs to be important to us.   The good shepherd knows the sheep all by name.   At the close of the day when he returns to the sheepfold, he stretches out his rod over the opening into the sheepfold, and the sheep pass under his rod.   He is counting them . . . . . 97, 98, 99.   Oh no, there is one missing.   He asks one of the other undershepherds to guard his flock while he goes out into the night in searh of that one lost sheep.   On the way he meets his friends and tells them the sad news.

As he goes over the ground previously travelled, he is calling the name of the lost sheep.   He is tired, perhaps his feet ache, but he is thinking of only one thing ... the sheep which is lost, cold, alone, aperhaps right at that moment in danger of a hungry wolf.

Finally, he hears the bleating of the wayward one and goes to it.   Perhaps it has injured itself, and so it was not able to keep up with the others.   Whatever is the reason, the shepherd picks it up and carries itthe long journey back home.   Along the way, he calls to his friends, "Rejoice with me for I have found my lost sheep!" (Luke 15:4-7).

Do you see the love that Jesus Christ wants us to possess for those he has placed us over?

FEED THE SHEEP

The good shepherd must be concerned that his sheep always get the right food.   There is vegetation along the way that would poison the sheep.   They must be led away from this to the green pastures.

Peter was questioned by Jesus Christ three times, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?"   Each time Peter replied, "Yes Lord, you know I love you." (John 21:15-17).   To Simon's assurance Jesus replied the first time, "Feed my lambs," the second time "*Shepherd my sheep," and the final time "Feed my sheep."

*Two different Greek words were used in the original.   For the first and third replies, the word was "bosko," which means "to graze, feed."   But for Jesus' second reply, the word in the original was "pomaino," which means "to tend, shepherd, or pastor."

What do we learn from these three different replies?

     1. That lambs are different than sheep.   Their diet must be different.   They need the sincere milk of the word (I Peter 2:2).

     There is a genuine difference between just feeding the sheep and shepherding.   Many pastors are faithful to prepare two or three "meals" each week, and deliver them ably, but that is as far as their ministry goes!   Feeding is not enough; leading is not enough; the good shepherd must be careful to watch!   (To be continued)

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